The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-11-17

and without comment, the history of agri-
cultural societies in South Carolina from
1875 to the present time. On the 9th of
August, 1885, twenty-four citizens Of
Charleston met at the City Hall in
Charleston for tho purpose of forming
a society in this State to encourage tho
pursuit of agriculture. This society
continued its operations and held sue
cessful fairs until in 1861, when the war
closed its operations. On the 28th of
April, 1869, tho Agricultural Conven-
ton of South Carolina met in Columbia
in Carolina Hall. Twenty five counties
were represented, The Agricultural and
Mechanicai Society of South Carolina
was formed under the constitution
adopted. Thus the present society was
organized and the present State Fair
iirSt provided for. The first Fair was
held III 1868, l8 years ago. The society
has conducted its operations since under
the presidency succcssively of Messrs.
hagood, Woodward, Taylor, Crayton
and Duncan.
AS to the comparative strength of the
first Foir, in 1869, aud the last, in 1886,
nc had much favorable comment. At
lirst the buildings were inadequata,
tnere Wcro no thoroughbred cattle, the
receipts were insufficient for premiums
and expenses, and tho exhibition was
small IN general. Tho society struggled
on Ill debt until 1877, when tho receipts
grew from $S37l.20 to S., S3O.45.
From 1860 TO 1876 the society Wars at
once the safety, shield and the agricul-
tural weapon Of the State. cit is now
the pure and undcfiIed exponent of the
agricultural and mechanical resources of
the State. It's Efforts for the good of
the State hove been blessed in the past.
| May Its fnturc be as fortunate in Proyi-
dental guidance.
Col. Thomas4 address was SCHOLARLY
and practical, and MAS frequently ap-
plaudcd.
President Johnson called upon a rep
reSentativc Of each county present to
MAKE some rCpOrt as to the status of
agriculture i'll each section. Delegates
responded, and srmC very interesting
reports We're made.
at this stage Of the meeting the Con-
ventiOn was taken in charge by the good
ladies of the Baptist and Luthcrn con
grcGauons, and conducted 20 their
booths, where they were treated to
hearty dinners.
The Convention met after dinner, and
the reports of the different ,unties were
resumed, after which adjournment was
had until o'clock tomorrow morning,
when the delegates Will rcassemble at
Agricultural Hall.
FCKTHER PROCEEDINGS.
The tortyyearol farmers reusscmblcd
on Thursday morning at 9 o'clock in
Agricultural Hall The meeting was
| presided over by Chancellor Johnson, of
Marion. Several delegates who had
been prevented from attending the meet
on "wednesday presented themselves and
their names were added to the list This
meeting might properly be called an cx-
porience meeting, us the different dele
gates were called upon to give general
resume Of their farming lifo tho methods
they used III pursuing agriculture aud
whatever ideas in connection Herewith
had preaentcd themselves. No more in
tercstlng feature could have been dcvel-
opcd. There were no long set speeches
confined to few persons, but variety
Of short, spicy talks, which occaSioncd
! the deepest interest among the hearers.
a motion was introduced to form n
! permanent organization, but the point
being made that the body hud assembled
! by invitation the motion was not carried.
! Resolutions of thanks to the Society for
their courteous attention and to the rail
toads for Kindness i'll transporting Ire
! delegates free Of Charge were PASSED
; The Convention then adjourned.